How Do Social Media And Public Relations Help One Another?

Public relations was very straightforward for a very long time.

For decades, publicists would act as intermediaries between their brands and the media, leveraging traditional tactics, like press releases, to generate positive buzz.

Then social media happened And. It. Changed. Everything.

Why Has Social Media Become So Important For PR?

Until very recently, brands needed to funnel their messaging through traditional media to garner awareness. With social media, that’s no longer the case. Keep reading to find out why!

4 Key Ways Social Media Has Impacted Public Relations

• Two Way Communication: Unlike traditional PR that’s premissed on one-way communication (brand → media → audience) social media is a two-way medium enabling brands to converse with their audiences and gather feedback in real time.

• Engagement With Influencers And Journalists: The takeover of influencers as gatekeepers of public trust has been transformational. In fact, two-thirds (63%) of consumers now say they trust influencers more than ads. When it comes to generating positive buzz about your brand, content creators hold the key.

• Non-Stop Info Cycle: Social media never sleeps. This constant churn requires PR pros to not only stay ahead of trends and continuously refresh their content, but also to monitor for potential crises 24/7.

• Better Understanding Your Target Audience: Social media enables brands to identify the demographics and valuegraphics of their consumers with extreme precision. This in-depth knowledge means brands can craft tailored messages that resonate with the people they’re most trying to reach. Powerful stuff!

How To Leverage Your Company’s Social Media To The Fullest

Social media strategies don’t have to be complex. Here are a few tips for leveraging your company’s social platforms to the fullest:

• Capitalize on Trends: In 2021, we penned a blog about how brands can tap into Internet culture to generate buzz. When executed well, capitalizing on viral trends is a great way to stay top of mind with your target audience.

• Post Proactively and Consistently: Social media is a hungry beast! To generate the best social media PR results, brands must post proactively and regularly. Creating a content calendar is a great way to hold yourself accountable!

• Engage Influencers: Think of influencers as brand ambassadors. Done thoughtfully, an influencer program can lead to authentic brand engagement, increased brand loyalty and positive brand awareness.

As social media continues to evolve (and we’re positive it’s going to!), so will its impact on PR.
Where do you think the industry’s headed next? Drop us a line and let us know!

XO,

The Sugars